Supply Chain Stories
Supply Chain Stories is a series of recorded interviews with Chief Supply Chain Officers to provide advice, guidance and mentorship to the Supply Chain community.
Maciej Kaniowski, ex Chief Operating Officer, Avon
Sam Berke, Head of Global Supply Chain Search at Pod Talent spoke with Maciej Kaniowski, whose extensive career spans senior roles at Avon, Mars and numerous Private Equity portfolio companies.
Leadership Lessons from Maciej Kaniowski
In this episode, Sam Berke sits down with Maciej Kaniowski—former Operations Leader at Avon and veteran of both corporate and private equity environments - to explore the lessons that have shaped his leadership journey across Mars, private equity, and beyond.
Maciej shares formative career advice he received early on that still resonates today, discusses his experience in private equity, and highlights the value of working in high-accountability, fast-paced environments. He urges all supply chain professionals to experience this world, even briefly, to sharpen their bias for action and focus on value creation. He sums up his private equity onboarding advice in three words: “Brace for impact.”
Looking ahead, Maciej shares what he believes are critical skills for future supply chain leaders:
- Deep understanding of value creation beyond cost and service metrics.
- Comfort with business model transformation and driving operational change.
- Strong technical proficiency, particularly in digital and AI-enhanced systems.
- A commitment to building and leading high-performing teams, especially in increasingly tech-augmented environments.
- The ability to communicate strategy and influence across functions, not just within the supply chain silo.
Finally, he encourages young professionals to pursue cross-functional experiences—particularly in sales or marketing—to build broader business acumen.
A great episode filled with some fantastic advice, this is a must-listen for any aspiring Chief Supply Chain Officers!